Bibai observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
Bibai observatory sits in the city of Bibai on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, its asteroid observations logged with the international Minor Planet Center since the late 1980s.
About Bibai observatory
The observatory holds Minor Planet Center code 406 and has been active since 24 August 1989, submitting astrometric observations of minor planets to the Minor Planet Center's international database.
Location & getting there
Bibai observatory is located in Bibai, Hokkaido, Japan, near 43.255°N, 141.823°E, part of the Asia section of Star Register's observatories directory. Hokkaido's northern latitude and relatively low population density give the area darker skies than much of mainland Japan.
Visiting Bibai observatory
No public opening hours or tour information have been found for this site. If you're planning to visit, check with local astronomy groups or search current listings before travelling.
See your named star from here
Since 1989, Bibai observatory's instruments have been used to pin down the precise positions of minor planets — the same kind of coordinates that come with every star named through Star Register. Name a star or browse the catalogue.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
